Discover the top portable car lifts for efficient maintenance and repairs, including the Editor's Choice APlusLift HW-SL6600X and the innovative BendPak 10AP, in our comprehensive review.
A compact and portable car lift offers a convenient solution to reduce the time required for various car maintenance and repair tasks. Whether you're an automotive professional or an amateur mechanic, portable car lifts are perfect for individuals aiming to optimize their garage space. In this comprehensive review, we present a selection of highly regarded lifts that have been carefully chosen through extensive research.
Top 4 Portable Car Lifts
Editor’s Choice: APlusLift HW-SL6600X
Ideal for vehicles with low-clearance: QuickJack 7000TL
Superior weight capacity: BendPak 10AP
Premium choice: Atlas Kwik Bay
Buyer's Guide for Portable Car Lifts
Upgrading from a basic car jack and jack stands, a portable car lift can provide significant advantages. Although they can be pricey, car lifts can greatly expedite repair and detailing work. To determine the best portable car lift for your needs, consider the size of your vehicle and the type of tasks you will be performing most frequently. Additionally, it is crucial to prioritize safety and minimize risks by referring to the safety guide provided by the Automotive Lift Institute.
Maximum Weight Capacity Similar to car jacks, every car lift has a maximum weight rating. It is important to select a portable lift with a weight capacity that exceeds the weight of your vehicle.
Minimum Clearance and Maximum Lift Height For a portable car lift to function effectively, it must fit under your car. Therefore, ensure that the size of the lift you choose is compatible with your car's clearance height. Likewise, consider the maximum lift height of the car lift. Determine if you need sufficient space to walk beneath the car or if sliding underneath is satisfactory. Select a car lift that offers comfortable working space underneath the vehicle.
Design of Portable Car Lifts The chosen lift should fit within your workspace. Many portable car lifts feature a scissor lift design that fits beneath the center of the vehicle. This design makes the lifts compact and easy to store in a home garage. It also provides convenient access to the undercarriage from the front or rear of the car, although side access may be limited.
A scissor lift is suitable for suspension work and basic maintenance tasks like wheel service or oil changes. However, certain vehicles may pose challenges when working on the exhaust or fuel systems without side access.
If you have sufficient space and desire a car lift with higher lifting capabilities and easier side access, consider a two-post car lift. While these lifts may require floor bolting in some cases, portable versions are available.
Editor's Choice: APlusLift HW-SL6600X
Pros:
- Six locking positions
- Minimal assembly required
- Rigorous testing process
Cons:
- Not suitable for trucks
APlusLift is a reputable brand in the auto lift industry, known for its excellent customer service. The company ensures the safety of its lifts by conducting comprehensive testing on every component. The HW-SL6600X comes with a five-year warranty for structural parts and a two-year warranty for hydraulics.
We believe this scissor lift is the top choice for most users due to its affordable price, secure construction, and motorized operation. Many positive online reviews come from professional mechanics who rely on this lift in their own shops. The HW-SL6600X is an excellent option for individuals seeking a reliable, mid-range, and relatively compact portable car lift.
Key Features:
- Price: Approximately $2,900
- Weight capacity: 6,600.0 pounds
- Maximum lift height: 51.0 in.
- Minimum clearance: 6.125 in.
- Six locking positions
- Sturdy steel construction
Ideal for vehicles with low-clearance: QuickJack 7000TL
Pros:
- High weight capacity
- Relatively affordable
- Wide range of available accessories
Cons:
- Lower maximum lift height compared to other options
- Additional cost for the two-year warranty
QuickJack prioritizes user-friendly designs for their portable vehicle lifts. The 7000TL is a great choice, especially for those seeking their first portable car lift, due to its ease of use and relatively low cost.
With a remarkably high weight capacity, the 7000TL can be customized with various accessories, such as:
- Crossbeam adapter: Adds additional lifting points
- Low-profile blocks: Lowers the lifting point
- Pinch weld pucks: Designed for cars with pinch-weld rails or rocker panels
- Truck adapter kit: Raises the lifting point for trucks
- Frame extensions: Increases the spread of lift points for larger vehicles
- Wall hangers: Specifically designed hangers for convenient storage against a wall
Although accessories need to be purchased separately, even with the additional cost of necessary accessories like a pinch weld block, the overall cost remains lower than many other portable lifts.
The QuickJack 7000TL comes with a one-year warranty, but an extended two-year warranty can be purchased at an additional cost.
Key Features:
- Price: Approximately $1,850
- Weight capacity: 7,000.0 lbs.
- Maximum lift height: 24.25 in.
- Minimum clearance: 3.5 in.
- Two locking positions
- Constructed with durable alloy steel
Superior weight capacity: BendPak 10AP
Pros:
- Does not obstruct undercarriage access
- Telescoping arms for precise fitment
- Innovative safety design
Cons:
- Less portable compared to scissor-style lifts
- Expensive
The BendPak 10AP is a two-post car lift that offers unobstructed access to your vehicle's undercarriage, unlike scissor-style lifts. Setting it apart from other two-post lifts, the BendPak® utilizes telescoping arms, ensuring precise fitment whenever you need to lift a vehicle.
This lift is both safe and durable. The safety-lock systems are designed for easy operation and enable symmetrical or asymmetric loading.
The BendPak is an excellent choice for a portable lift if you plan to perform more advanced tasks beyond basic maintenance, such as oil changes and tire swaps. For jobs like transmission swaps that require complete access to the vehicle, a two-post lift like the BendPak is recommended.
Key Features:
- Price: Approximately $5,900
- Weight capacity: 10,000.0 lbs.
- Maximum lift height: 69.0 in.
- Minimum clearance: 4.0 in.
- Telescoping arms
- Single-point safety release
Premium choice: Atlas Kwik Bay
Pros:
- High maximum weight capacity
- Compact dimensions and easy to store
- Open middle design allows for transmission work
Cons:
- Expensive
The Atlas Kwik Bay is another portable scissor lift option from Atlas. It features a slightly different design compared to other lifts in its category. Instead of lift arms, the Kwik Bay adopts a drive-on design with an open middle. This unique feature enables the possibility of performing transmission work, which may not be feasible with certain other lifts of similar type.
The Kwik Bay comes with a two-year warranty, and customers have reported positive experiences with Atlas customer service.
Key Features:
- Price: Approximately $5,000
- Weight capacity: 7,000.0 lbs.
- Maximum lift height: 41.0 in.
- Minimum clearance: 4.25 in.